[The Shifters Committee 01.0] Time Shifters

by Rebecca Foxx

  “The same old Page 6 gossip lady that’s been there forever?” Michael asked.

  Richard nodded his head slowly. “That’s right. There’s no way that she’s going to back down from her demands. You are the it-guy right now, and you can either stay the it-guy or turn into the shit-guy”

  Michael rubbed his forehead. He could feel his temples beginning to pound. Why couldn’t he just live his life like any normal guy? Why did he always have to walk around, afraid that he might be photographed doing something that he wasn’t supposed to be doing or deep down inside, didn’t really want to do? It was New York. Rich people were always doing things that they weren’t supposed to.

  One way or another he was going to have to get his hands on those pictures. There was no way that he would allow them to go public. There was too much at stake for him to let that happen.

  Just as he was about to storm out of his lawyer’s office in desperate search of a solution, a name popped into his head: Jackie.

  He leaned back in the chair, smiling, eyes fixed on his lawyer.

  “I hope you don’t think that you’ll be able to charm your way out of this one,” Richard said. “Miriam’s about forty years older than you. And she’s a bit more loyal than the governor’s wife.”

  “Ah Richard, you should really have more faith in me. I’m a bit insulted that you don’t think that I’ll be able to handle this situation on my own.”

  Michael knew just how he was going to handle killing this story. Jacqueline had worked at the Daily News’ Page 6 gossip section for the past few years. She would help him get this whole thing sorted out. If he could just sit down with this Miriam character, he was sure that he could convince her not to be so ruthless. He would grant them a brief interview with so-called exclusive pictures of him and his bevy of ladies and celebrity friends thrown in for good measure.

  When he got back out into the street, the first thing he did was call Jacqueline He needed to get this matter resolved as soon as possible. The phone rang several times before it went to voice mail. He left a message saying that he would like to meet up for dinner later that night. He also apologized for disappearing after their conversation outside the Tribeca Film Festival.

  “There’s a funny and innocent explanation for that,” he said, knowing that wasn’t the case. “Let me make it up to you with a nice meal at Avra. I’ll have my driver pick you up at 8o’clock. If this works for you, just text me ‘ok’. Hope I get to see you later. And I think I forgot to tell you how gorgeous you looked the other night.”

  Michael hung up the phone and smiled. That would do the trick. First he would seduce Jacqueline and she would lead him to Miriam. Then the real work would begin. There was no way that they were going to exploit him like this. It’s something that he absolutely would not tolerate.

  Chapter 4

  Jacqueline shook her head as she listened to Michael’s voice mail message for the third time in the last few minutes. She was trying to figure out what she could from the tone of his voice. It seemed so strange to her that he had called. He’d never called before. But even stranger than that was the fact that she had desired to call him. She was hoping that they would be able to meet as soon as possible. She wanted to let him know that she would be sure to write the feature story on him in a tasteful, respectful way. She wasn’t going to write a piece of fabricated, exploitative, tabloid journalism. They’d known each other too long for her to try something like that.

  As the time of the date grew nearer, Jacqueline was surprised that she didn’t feel any great sense of nervousness or anxiety. She actually had a very strong feeling that everything was going to work out just fine.

  The stakes were high for Michael. Very high. The governor’s reputation for carrying out vendettas was known throughout the state. And given his background as a federal prosecutor, his name most likely sent shivers down spines well beyond the confines of New York’s cutthroat political landscape.

  Despite the seriousness of the situation, Jacqueline had a feeling that Michael would take this sort of thing in stride. He would see the opportunity within the potential disaster. This was an opportunity for him to really control how his image was presented to the world. This was his chance to tell his story in his own words.

  She knew that if she had her own gossip media empire. There’s no way that she would run this story. But she didn’t see any way out of the situation. She just hoped that Michael would be able to forgive her and go along with it. She would swear to him that the piece would be done in the most respectful way possible. And he would be allowed to see the final draft and photo layout. He would have the power to request changes.

  If Miriam took issue with those conditions, Jacqueline would be sure to advocate in Michael’s favor. She felt an obligation to do at least that much for him, on account that he stood up for her in the past.

  After a great workout in her Pilates class, Jacqueline ran a few errands, then returned to her apartment. She planned on spending the rest of the day on the couch binge watching Scandal or How to Get Away with Murder. That’s what she usually did on Saturday afternoons, especially during the hot and humid summer months.

  She stripped out of her sweaty clothes and hopped in the shower. The cascading water refreshed her. She rubbed soap all over the contours of her fit, yet ample body. The aura of Michael’s towering presences and muscular body overtook her mind, and the image of his eyes burning with passion surged a stream of warmth inside her pink pearl. Within seconds her hands had slid down her soft belly. They were between her thighs. She closed her eyes and moaned. She wanted him so bad. It would have been so incredible for him to be in that shower with her, each of them lathering up the other with soap. Then she thought about the contrast in skin tones. She imagined Michael sucking gently on her clit and engulfing his tongue inside the deeper more sensitive regions of her pussy. She envisioned grabbing the back of Michael’s head and trusting his face deep and deep inside her as she took control of her own pleasure. For once Michael would be the one submitting to a woman’s desires. Jacqueline could literally feel her hand reach down and grab Michael’s thick shaft. What a pussy rush, what a turn on!

  She‘d never brought her brown chocolate toned body together with a white man’s before. Oh, the thought was making her absolutely wild. She would now let him take charge of her and dominate her sexually. Whatever he wanted, she would gladly give it to him, even if it was something that she normally didn’t do with guys. With him she would do anything. He would be her white knight and she would be his sensual, loving and submissive ebony queen. That’s something she’d wanted for so long. The swirl! But she’d felt guilty for feeling that a white man would be able to take her places—emotionally, sexually, and financially—that no other man could. She’d always held a bit of guilt and shame about this fantasy of being taken by a white man.

  But now she didn’t give a damn about any of those taboos. She wanted to give herself to Michael! She was wet enough to immediately slip two fingers in her throbbing pussy and worked them in and out, while her thumb mimicked the flickering of Michael’s tongue on her now engorged clit. As she moved closer and closer to the edge of orgasm, she began to whisper his name: Michael, Michael, Michael. But each time the whispers got a bit louder as the pleasure got higher and higher - and before long she was screaming his name out for everyone in the building to hear: MICHAEL! MICHAEL! MICHAEL!

  Her whole body began to shake and the orgasm slowly took hold of her. She was tingling all over and her heart was racing and her breath was synchronized with the electrical impulses deep inside her over satisfied pussy.

  Jacqueline had been on the couch for a couple hours, riveted by Olivia Pope’s adventures. She could understand perfectly well why she would agree to be the mistress of a powerful white man. So many of her friends had that fantasy. And here it was being played out on the TV screen. No wonder why this show was so popular. It allowed black women the opportunity to vicariously experience one of their m
ost stimulating and taboo fantasies.

  The sound of the doorbell ringing startled her. She wasn’t expecting anybody. It was probably one of her neighbors looking to borrow something. She was intrigued, got off the couch and headed towards the door.

  She looked through the keyhole and saw a brown uniform and an unfamiliar face. She opened the door. A UPS guy was holding a beautiful rainbow colored bouquet of flowers.

  “I think you have the wrong apartment,” Jacqueline said.

  The UPS guy looked at the electronic device he held in his hand.

  “This is 3M, right?” He asked. “Jacqueline Williams?”

  Jacqueline nodded, shocked that the flowers were actually for her.

  “This dude must really be into you,” the UPS guy said. “These flowers are from one of the most expensive florists in the city.”

  In a daze she took the bouquet and shut the door. It was from Blanchet Elite Flowers and had most definitely cost a few hundred dollars. She was impressed and flattered. But she was more interested in the card and whom they were from.

  When she opened it and read the accompanying note, she closed her eyes and smiled.

  Chapter 5

  This was the first time that anyone had ever sent a car to pick Jacqueline up for a date. It seemed so strange to her that it was Michael doing this for her, but she didn’t have the luxury of getting too swept up in his thoughtful gestures. They had serious business to discuss. Both of their careers were at stake. If they didn’t find a way to work together, they would both be screwed

  She arrived at Avra a few minutes before eight. She expected Michael to be a little late. He was that kind of guy. He’d always enjoyed making grand entrances. It would be fine for Jacqueline if he weren’t there yet. She could have used some time to get a drink at the bar and gather her thoughts.

  Unfortunately for her she would get no such time. Right when she walked into the restaurant, she saw Michael at the bar. He appeared to be flirting with two girls that looked they were barely old enough to drink. Or maybe they were flirting with him? Either way, it made Jacqueline annoyed to see him conversing with them.

  As soon as Michael saw Jacqueline, he stood up and ignored the obviously privileged under aged looking girls. Michael had his own private table and he gestured Jacqueline towards the high-roller section of the restaurant. Michael pulled Jacqueline’s chair out for her. She thanked him and smiled. She couldn’t remember the last time a man had surprised her with something so respectful and chivalrous. As they sat across the table from each other, it was difficult to take her eyes off him. He was so incredibly handsome, his face was so symmetrical and his hair was perfect. She imagined how soft his hair would feel if she could run her fingers through it. A sly smile crossed his lips as he realized the effect that he was having on Jacqueline.

  Avra’s specialty was its large whole fish selections. Their daily fresh selections were one of the reasons that they were most popular and well regarded high-end Greek restaurants in the city. For appetizers they ordered kavouri, a classic jumbo lump Maryland crab cake and garides psites, grilled shrimp infused with garlic and olive oil. For an entrée Michael ordered two pounds of forgi, a tasty Mediterranean white snapper. At almost 60 dollars a pound this was definitely the most expensive fish that Jacqueline had ever tasted. But he didn’t stop there. To wash it all down he ordered a four hundred dollar bottle of Bonneau du Marty Chardonnay.

  “It’s my favorite on their list and it happens to go very well with our order fish,” he’d said matter of factly. There was no reason for him to boast and brag about his money. He’d always had it. And everyone knew that.

  While they waited for the main dish to arrive, they started on the appetizers of assorted olives, cheeses, and bread. And of course they sipped on the deliciously cool and crisp white wine.

  Jacqueline could feel the wine beginning to go to her head. She knew that she was there for more than just a good meal and good conversation. There was serious business to discuss.

  After a bit of small talk, Jacqueline decided that she wanted to get the conversation going before the main dish arrived. A beautifully prepared fish laid in front of them would be too much of a distraction for them to be able to discuss much of anything.

  “I was surprised when I heard your message,” Jacqueline said, gently wiping a bit of olive oil from her lips. She kept her eyes locked on him the entire time.

  “Why’s that?” Michael asked.

  “Because the other night at the festival you ditched me. I thought that you were enjoying yourself talking with me,” Jacqueline said.

  Her voice betrayed the hurt that she felt about him leaving her like that. She found it very rude and immature but it hadn’t been her intention to make a big deal out of it. She hadn’t been able to contain herself and the words had just come blurting out.

  Michael took a sip from his glass of wine and smiled.

  “I might have to order us another bottle,” he said staring directly at her. There was a playful look in his eyes. But for once his charms didn’t appear to be working on Jacqueline. She wanted an answer. And she wanted it right at that moment. And it had better be the truth.

  “I’m sorry about that,” Michael said. “I really am. I saw some friends and they invited me to go to a bar a couple blocks away with them. I’ve never known you to be the type of person who enjoyed going to bars so I—”

  “So you just left without saying anything? And today leave a really nice message for me. Plus sending a car to pick me up and bring me to one of the nicest restaurants in Midtown. I can only wonder what I did to deserve this honor?”

  There was a tense moment of silence. But Jacqueline didn’t have time for that. She didn’t have time for his games. She wanted to know what his ulterior motives were. And she planned on keeping her own cards up her sleeve until he laid his on the

  table.

  “I see that there’s no point trying to BS you,” Michael said. “I was hoping that I would be able to build up to telling you why I wanted to go out tonight.”

  “There’s been plenty of build up,” she alleged. “Now let’s get to it.”

  She hadn’t expected to be on the offensive like this. But she was certainly enjoying seeing him a little bit off balance, flustered by how direct she could be. She wasn’t a woman to play games or waste time. Jacqueline was a strong black woman who was elegant enough to say something harsh, without sounding harsh.

  “It seems that I’ve finally gone and got myself into a bit of a situation,” Michael said.

  For the next ten minutes he told Jacqueline about the ultimatum that Miriam had given him. It never occurred to him that Jacqueline knew exactly what kind of trouble he was in. He might have thought her too innocent to be involved in anything so mischievous—and borderline criminal. But she was definitely involved, all the way up to her yin yang. She was deep in it. She hadn’t said a word to dissuade Miriam from going forward with the story. She hadn’t raised the slightest objection. This was an opportunity to put her name on a byline that would be seen all around the world. She wouldn’t just be doing herself an enormous favor, though. She would also be helping Michael redefine his public image. This was a promising opportunity for both of them. She just hoped that he saw it that way.

  “I was hoping that you would help me get this whole thing sorted out,” Michael said. “I hear that Miriam can be a real bitch, but I’m sure that we can figure something out - right?”

  Jacqueline’s face remained stoic. She wasn’t sure how to respond. But it was clear to her that he didn’t understand the role that was determined to play in this matter. True to her nature, she wasn’t going to waste any more time playing coy. She was in a cutthroat industry in the most cutthroat of cities. Opportunities like this could not be passed up.

  “Michael, I’m sorry that you’ve gotten yourself into such a messy situation. But it’s hardly the first time,” Jacqueline said.

  “No, but it’s going to be the last. I p
romise you that. I’m done with all this partying shit. That’s why I wanted us to come to this restaurant. So it would be just us together. No wild, crazy people around us. Just you and me, and a world of possibilities ready for the taking.”

  “Thank you for taking me out to this wonderful restaurant,” Jacqueline said. “I’ve always heard good things about this place. But I’ve never had the chance to make it down here.”

  “I have more planned for us later this evening,” Michael said with a seductive smile.

  “This is serious, Michael,” Jacqueline said fixing her eyes directly on him. “I know what Miriam wants you to do. Right before you called me, I was going to call you. And do you know what I was going to tell you?”

  Michael stared at her in silence for a few moments. “What?” He finally said.

  “I was going to tell you that you should go ahead and do the profile piece. And I was going to tell you that Miriam wants me to be the writer who follows you around for a couple weeks.”